Sebastian Bassong reveals what it was like to work under Alan Shearer at Newcastle United

Former Newcastle United defender Sebastian Bassong has provided insight into working under ‘incredible’ Alan Shearer - but he also admitted he was ‘not the best tactician’. The Cameroonian centre-back spent one season at St James’ Park between 2008-2009, winning the club’s Player of the Season for that year before his relationship with the club quickly soured and he left for Tottenham.

Shearer came in to take over at a shambolic Newcastle in April 2009 but failed to lift the club out of the relegation zone. But Bassong has hailed the former Magpie’s striker for his presence and passion as manager of the club.

Bassong, speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes at the launch of their 5-A-Side bet on Norwich v Tottenham, said: "Working under Alan was incredible. Look, he wasn't the best tactician, but his aura, his presence - honestly, I've never seen that in a manager before, ever. When the man walked into the dressing room and began speaking, whoever you were - and we had a Ballon d'Or winner in the dressing room - you just shut up and you just listened.

“I loved it, because I know how Alan is, he's very rough, he's a fighter, a warrior, he's passionate - I think that's what he liked about me. We got along very well. He'd train with us, he'd elbow me, I'd elbow him, we wouldn't give each other a moment of rest... this is in training! I loved that because I learnt so much in that short period of time. I always judge a manager on what I've learnt from him, and Alan taught me a lot about passion... that word was him in a nutshell.”

Shearer couldn’t turn the inevitable tide at the club, however, with a 1-0 final day defeat to Aston Villa damning them to the Championship. Bassong’s relationship with the club went south quickly after